Devices to possibly help reduce outage response time

UAS Power Line Inspections leverage rotary-wing drones, high-resolution imaging, and real-time video to enhance utility storm damage assessment, speed crew deployment, and support FAA-compliant operations led by EPRI, NMSU, and SETAC.

PALO ALTO, Calif. – Recent test flights directed by the Electric Power Research Institute EPRI in Alabama of prototype unmanned aerial systems UAS and payloads of video and other sensing equipment indicate that such “drone” technology could be deployed to assess damage to electric transmission and distribution systems following storms.

The flights tested two “rotary winged” devices and payloads that weighed less than 55 pounds and operated at altitudes under 100 feet. Payloads included high-resolution video and digital cameras that transmit in real time information that utility system operators could use to assess the condition of power lines and related equipment.

The devices may provide more timely and accurate power line damage assessments in the wake of major storms, informed by recent grid enhancements and storm preparations that utilities are implementing. This should help to deploy crews more efficiently and to restore electric service more quickly.

“The test flight results are an important step in determining whether UAS technology can be deployed to improve the accuracy and timeliness of utility storm damage assessment and related outage procedures many utilities rely on,” said Matthew Olearczyk, program manager for distribution systems research at EPRI. “The images and videos from these flights clearly show the potential of these combined technologies. Continuing research will better determine which combinations of aircraft and payload could offer the best results.”

EPRI tested an Aeryon Scout and the Adaptive Flight Hornet Maxi, which are both rotary wing systems. These UAS technologies performed visual inspection tasks including high-resolution imaging of electrical system components as part of a new survey project with comparable objectives.

Olearczyk noted that beyond aircraft and payloads, significant work lies ahead in integrating the data and information generated by the UAS with utility operations. “There is some really important work ahead in creating seamless interfaces with utility information technology systems, including AMI and GIS platforms that support asset mapping, as well as the rapidly developing field force technologies, such as tablet computers, that some utility work crews are now carrying into the field,” said Olearczyk.

EPRI directed the flights under a Certificate of Authorization COA granted to New Mexico State University NMSU by the Federal Aviation Administration FAA at the Southeastern Equipment and Technology Advancement Center SETAC. The research team plans to use findings from these first flights in a round of test flights tentatively scheduled for later this year, after receiving authorization from the FAA.

The testing was witnessed by several entities including two utilities pursuing advanced grid projects aimed at resilience and modernization, and the FAA while the UAS platforms were flown by the NMSU Technical Flight Team.

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